The tools I use here in Maya are May's Split Polygon tool, Maya's Split Edge Ring tool, Extrude Face, MJ Poly Tools, APE Split , NEX and Active smooth. Of course there will be a few other features I use here and there as well. All these tools I have set up to hot keys so I can access them quickly and easily, because I'll be using them frequently. Personally I find it extremely frustrating and time consuming to try and sculpt without these tools set to hot keys any more.